Automotive lighting technology has come a very long way in the past few decades, moving from traditional incandescent bulbs to projector beams, then to HIDs and LEDs, now with intelligent beam-forming functions. Cadillac is no stranger to that transformation, as its entire 2020 lineup now featuring LED lighting as standard equipment. But there’s another, less prominent lighting feature – Front Cornering Lights – that has made its way to the luxury brand’s lineup.
Cadillac XT4 with cornering light off
Cadillac XT4 with cornering light on
About Front Cornering Lights
Front Cornering Lights (or lamps), which Cadillac pioneered many years ago, provide additional light in the direction that the vehicle is turning at lower speeds, helping the driver see more of the road surface.
In today’s lineup, the front cornering lamps come on when all of the following conditions are met:
- The low-beam headlamps are on
- The turn signals are activated or the steering wheel is at a turning angle
- The vehicle speed is below 25 mph (40 km/h)
Identifying Cadillac models with front cornering lamps is easy, since the lights are typically positioned as at the bottom end of the vertical signature lights / Daytime Running Lights.
However, front cornering lamps should not be confused with adaptive or Active Forward Lighting. The former works at lower speeds to illuminate the ground in close proximity to the car, while the latter works at high(er) speeds to aim the primary light in the direction of a turn, such as a highway bend.
Availability
All 2020 Cadillac models offer front cornering lights, either as an option or as a standard feature. following is availability for each 2020 model year Cadillac vehicle:
- CT4: optional on Sport, Premium Lux and CT4-V as part of the Front Lighting and Assist Package, which includes Front and Rear Park Assist, front lamp turn signals and front cornering lamps. Not available on base Luxury trim.
- CT5: optional on Sport, Premium Lux and CT5-V as part of the Lighting Package, which includes illuminating front sill plates and front cornering lamps. Not available on base Luxury trim.
- CT6: standard on Premium Luxury, Platinum and CT6-V. Not available on the base Luxury trim.
- XT4: optional on Premium Luxury as part of the Technology Package and standard on Sport. Not available on base Luxury trim.
- XT5: standard on all 2020 models. For the 2017, 2018 and 2019 model years, front cornering lights were standard on Premium Luxury and Platinum models, optional on Luxury, and not available on Base.
- XT6: standard on all trim levels.
- Escalade (2015-2020): standard on Premium Luxury and Platinum models but not available on base and Luxury models.
As of this writing, it’s unclear whether the all-new, 2021 Cadillac Escalade will feature the Front Corner Light feature, and how it will be implemented.
Subscribe to Cadillac Society for ongoing, around-the-clock Cadillac news coverage.
Marvin Western
What’s the big deal? Cadillac offered the cornering lights over 50 years ago.
Rick Nesser
I love these on my CT6. They have saved me plenty of times from hitting a curb that shouldn’t have been there especially in shopping plazas.
Marvin, if you think that whatever was offered “over 50 years ago” is anything like what’s offered today then you need a reality check.
Marvin Western
Oh really? Is that so? A cornering light is a cornering light. That’s as real as it gets.
Ricky
So by that logic, we have made no progress in the last half a century of automotive history, right?
Whatever corner light did or didn’t exist 50 years ago simply paled in comparison to what is being offered today. Replace 50 years with 20 and the statement still holds true. It’s as simple as that.
Also, most last gen Cadillac models didn’t have cornering lamps, including ATS, CTS, ELR, SRX.
Alex Luft
Let’s all calm down here guys and take a deep breath behind those masks.
Marvin: there is no “big deal”… but it’s true that most last-gen Cadillac models mentioned by Ricky did not have this feature, so there’s that. We’re just shedding light on the feature and providing availability. Enjoy!
Big Mart
All I am saying. Is that the concept of cornering lights no big deal. An ounce for 50 years. Obviously we all know technology has changed things.
Alex Luft
The concept is one thing. Offering the feature across the entire lineup is another.
Marvin Western
Given that it is a safety option that is relatively inexpensive to include. I don’t see what all the hoopla is about.
Chuck
There is no hoopla Marvin. Notice how you are the only one making all the hoopla when there isn’t one to begin with?
Angel Harris
If you two are done measuring your dicks, I’d like to speak.
Preston Tucker wanted the headlights of his car to turn with the front wheels. Actually, he wanted the fenders and all to turn. His engineers told him it couldn’t be done. But, they added a third center headlight and got that to turn with the front wheels. That, basically was your first cornering light. After that, cornering lights were basically dead until Cadillac brought them out in 1962. By 1965 all of GMs luxury cars had optioned them. Lincoln didn’t get them until 1969, 1970. By 1973 Ford and Chrysler had them and they could be optioned on practically any car.they fell out of favor for awhile, but Cadillac still used them up until around 2003.
Some of my date facts may be off a year or two, but that’s the basics. Cadillacs 1962 cornering light were miles ahead of Tucker’s 1948. Just like Cadillacs 2020 cornering light is miles ahead of their own 1962. All cars need to bring back cornering lights. IMO
Marvin Western
That light on the Tucker was not a cornering light as it stayed directed straight not off to the side. That feature was not even new with the Tucker. Cars of the 30’s had the feature where the headlights would move with the front wheels.
Would you like to do the measuring for biggest dick contest? Lube will be supplied.
Angel Harris
You’re a real class act, Marvin. If you’re going to comment on automotive history, get your facts straight.
Charles Chips
Did we ever establish who has the bigger dick?
Alex Luft
I think it’s being hashed out as we speak. Polling results incoming… 🙂
Charles Chips
Lets not be hard on the losers.
Robin Oldfield
Th article mentions adaptive and active forward lighting – good information as I didn’t understand the difference. Are these standard on Cadillac? My 2019 Buick Cascada has adaptive forward lighting and cornering lamps. I understood that it was a European requirement, of course the Cascada was also marketed as an Opel and Vauxhall, that vehicles with HID lighting, which the Buick version included as standard, must have adaptive forward lighting. So my car’s projector beams articulate vertically and horizontally and the lighting fixture also includes halogen bulbs set a fixed outward angle. I’ve seen an example of how it works on the home market version and those appear to have both the adaptive and active features Alex describes. The Buick owner’s guide doesn’t go into a great amount of detail but it does call their system Adaptive Forward Lighting
Robin Oldfield
I think Marvin is right about the timing of the cornering lights – also offered by other GM divisions, but initially introduced by Cadillac. Even though they were incandescent they performed their function
RichOne
This is very good news! Cadillacs should all feature “cornering lamps,” as they pioneered them around 1962. This is a useful feature and adds to the luxury of a Cadillac. Now, it would be great to see return of the fiber optic “lamp monitors” to add another distinctive touch to lighting and nighttime driving, too.
ConsumerRep
Probably don’t need lamp monitors since LED lighting rarely needs replacement
Greg
It’s true that modern lighting technologies are far longer lived than earlier incandescent lamps. But as regards the 70s-80s “lamp monitors”: I can still remember when, as a kid, the thrill of seeing the small beautiful little dots of colored light marking the outter fenders of our Cadillac; secure in knowing all were working properly. ?
Angel Harris
And besides that they were just plain cool.
Greg
It’s also true that 1962 was the firs year cornering lamps were offered on Cadillacs. They were standard on all models and I believe they were an industry first. I think Lincoln didn’t offer them until 1970.
The last Cadillac that had them was, I think, the DTS ending in 2012.
Marvin Western
Cadillac is fighting for survival and the best they can brag about is an option that was offered 50 years ago I can just imagine buyers knocking down the doors to be the first in their neighborhood to have the cornering lights.
Greg
And just where is the official press release from Cadillac “boasting” about this?
Cadillac Society has elected to write and post an short item of interest on the subject. That’s all.
Why so bitter?
Marvin Western
Not bitter at all. Actually I was amused by this post.
Ricky
Greg – its obvious Marvin is a troll / troll-like creature. Notice how he is the only one complaining (about nothing!) while the rest are having a perfectly good time, enjoying this article and the actual feature?
Oh yeah Marvin… let’s talk about how some obscure car 60 years ago had a precursor to a what today is a modern technology, and a pretty cool one at that.
Fighting for survival? Yeah… they made $25 billion in 2019 and yet Marvin’s “expert“ analysis is that it’s “fighting for survival.” Delusional much? Nahhh… he’s just a troll.
It’s clear Marvin needs a reality check, so here goes: Caddy is perfectly healthy and will be even more so once it gets the EV effort going.
Go complain elsewhere.
Angelo
Why are you extremely bitter and ignorant? Everyone on this post thinks you’re an a**hole. Stop already!
Joseph Leopold
Why is this not offered as standard equipment across the Cadillac line? Seems logical since most Cadillacs are bought from stock, not ordered at time of sale. Also I noticed it’s not even available on some base model Cadillacs. Misleading headline.
Alex Luft
Joseph – the headline is spot on. I recommend you check into the meaning of the verb “feature”, as it makes no inference about standard or optional.
As to why it’s not standard on the base trim levels… why is anything that is optional and not standard on base models? Why isn’t a filet mignon not the same price as a McDonald’s happy meal?
Joseph Leopold
Alex, you are protected by the internet. I doubt you would answer in this manner face to face very often. If you did you would probably have a swollen face. I wish you and Cadillac the best . I will be trading my Cadillac in the near term and intended to purchase another. Your total disrespect leaves me looking elsewhere. I hope we can meet one day.
Greg
That “protection” works both ways, Leonard.
You’d actually resort to physical violence over a cornering lamp being optional?
Alex Luft
Joseph – let’s sum up the chain of events leading up to this. First you come here to complain, get a straight up response from me that gets you all hot and bothered, in turn causing you to feel disrespected and to threaten violence. And despite all that, it’s you who feels disrespected. Sound like the spirit of a real winner right there!
To answer your question: yes, this is how I communicate in real life. My photo is right there next to my name, so clearly not hiding behind anything. If my perceived cockiness got you so offended so as to wish to try and give me a swollen face, then it’s likely that you have bigger problems in real life, like some kind of respect derangement syndrome. Lucky for you, therapists are widely available nowadays… have you considered seeing one? 😉
It all comes down to this: if you can’t take the heat, then you best stay out of the kitchen.
Also, I should remind you that Cadillac Society, as well as myself, are NOT Cadillac. We are an independent publication. Our views are our views, and do not represent those of Cadillac. They should not impact your purchase decisions in the slightest.
Now, as for the matter at hand: the fact that cornering lights are offered on all Cadillac models is a fact. The article very clearly explains exactly what models and trims it’s available on, and which ones it’s not available. Doing a bit of reading to understand the topic in its entirety usually helps.
Jason L
Joseph You sound really insecure to talk about punching people.
You Also gotta be out your mind. I worked with Alex before. He’s an ex pro hockey player. You won’t be able to touch him Before getting your bell rung. Not for violence but do your research before making stupid threats.
Bryan E Reilly
Alex Luft,
You do a fine job, and perform a valuable service, writing cadillacsociety.com. To anybody who thinks it is an easy task to write, edit, and publish anything at all, especially on a daily basis, I say, “Go try doing it yourself.”
But you’ve got to get out in your ATS and blow off some steam a bit more often: You seem to be getting a little testy in some of your replies to comments.
Why are you so sensitive about your word choice?
Actually, “offer optional” instead of “feature” would be “spot on” for a headline, as it would remove any possible confusion or misinterpretation.
I am annoyed by ads that list air conditioning, power windows, and power seats as “options” on late model Cadillacs. Those things have been featured on all Cadillacs since time immemorial … (or the late 1960s, whichever came last. Your memory may vary. Conditions and restrictions may apply. See your local Cadillac dealer for details.)
By definition, “option” requires choice. “Feature” doesn’t.
As for filet mignon in a Happy Meal…
Cadillac is not General Motors’ version of McDonald’s, Chevrolet is. And while I have been in some high-brow steak houses that had the ability to charge … and get … fifteen to twenty-five dollars for a couple of vegetables to go along with their ridiculously high priced steaks, Cadillac isn’t in their class, and hasn’t been for decades.
I like Cadillacs. The first one I can remember riding in was an uncle’s dove gray 1949 coupe. My first limo ride was in a ‘55. The first car I ever bought for myself was a1964 Six-window sedan. It’s been one after another for the past fifty-six years.
But I have no illusions about their sales or status in today’s world.
Cadillac is trying to re-float a severely leaking ship.
I hope they succeed.
I believe that Cadillac has to do what Lexus did: Offer a superior product, with more features, at a lower price than its target competitors.
Prioritize quality, in materials and construction.
Don’t cheap out. Make the damned cornering lights, and all safety equipment, standard across the board.
Differentiate trim levels … wait a minute, let me think … with TRIM!
(Damn, I’m a marketing genius!)
More color choices. More chrome (or less chrome, or put the chrome in different places, whatever fad is in at the moment.) Softer ride, firmer ride, more torque, more horsepower.
And for God’s sake, give them names, names that people can remember, names that make some sort of positive impact when heard or read. For example, I read quickly. I probably skim. And every time I see Cadillac Lyriq (or whatever), the thought that pops into my head is, “What is Cadillac lying about now?”
End of rant.
Back to original point:
Thank you, Alex, for your hard work, your dedication to the Cadillac marque (Never “brand”), and for providing us with this excellent forum for sharing our views and passions for all things Cadillac.
Bryan
Alex Luft
Bryan – thanks for the kind words. Here’s what I would add.
The strategy of offering more value for works. It has worked for Lexus and, most recently, for Genesis. Heck, the product can even be a bit less competitive (see Lexus of the 90s), but as long as it’s more valuable than the competition, it has a chance of gaining traction. The trouble is, how does one move “out” of that position once established?
I would argue that Lexus has yet to find a way out of that rat-race. Its volume is dominated by the ES and RX, two products that don’t really go head-to-head with the German players. Whenever Lexus has tried to go toe-to-toe with the Germans (LS, IS, GS, RC), it has typically lost big time from a sales/profit standpoint. The only place where this hasn’t taken place is Lexus’ home market of Japan.
Today, the new wave of Cadillac models is following the strategy of more for less. Prime examples are the CT4, CT5 and CT6 (until being dropped). These models undercut the competition from a pricing standpoint, but offer more (either more space, more tech, more performance, or all of the above).
Additionally, Cadillac already differentiates the trim levels with exterior styling, along with ride and steering characteristics. See here:
https://cadillacsociety.com/2018/08/19/explaining-new-cadillac-y-trim-level-strategy/
This was missing for the past decade or so, and Cadillac was late to the game on this. Today, however, I think that Y trim level strategy is benchmark.
As for the headline: “to feature” is defined as “having as a prominent attribute or aspect.” I don’t believe the word makes a stand or lays claim to anything related to something being included or not. We can go back and forth all day making arguments for and against its use in the title, even though the article makes it crystal clear exactly what’s taking place here.
And finally, regarding your comment about letting off some steam: my penchant for witty replies is often mistaken for something else. At the end of the day, I tell it like it is, and have made peace with the fact that this will offend some sensitive souls out there. Oh well.
Angel Harris
Alex,you’re doing a fine job. Those of us with manners appreciate your taking the time to research and post this colum. You are always going to have some a__hole who thinks he’s smarter than you, better than you, etc. Keep up the good work.
Alex Luft
Thanks Angel. Appreciate you and your words of support!
Alex
Joseph Leopold
The light has nothing to do with it. The cocky disrespectful person usually hides behind something. Handing me over to you is an example. These things are usually only done by cowards.
Angel Harris
Come on guys. We should stop the Marvin bashing. I know we’re all a little testy because of being quarentined, but, leave Marvin alone. It’s kinda nice to have some comic relief in these discussions. Marvin’s been supplying that.
Marvin Western
Its what I do……………….